Thursday, August 19, 2010

New Queensmarks even lamer than the originals

Preservationists argue that Borough Hall, including new borough historian Jack Eichenbaum, can prove its commitment to local heritage by posting signage or creating brochures for the spots that will be profiled in these pages.

Eichenbaum sparked a debate over the role of a borough historian last month when he told The News that he wants to be an "educator" rather than fight to landmark buildings.

"I don't see myself championing those types of causes," Eichenbaum said at the time.

Eichenbaum was criticized but defended his approach, emphasizing his efforts to educate children about Queens history and vowing to refer landmarking causes to more "passionate" advocates.

The exchange spawned many ideas on how Eichenbaum, Borough President Helen Marshall and Queens tourism director Terri Osborne could honor local legacy even without landmarking.

For starters, historians say signage may encourage residents to take an interest in Queens' past.

"It can be a very effective way of explaining to passersby the transformation in New York's development," said Simeon Bankoff, the executive director of the Historic Districts Council.

Such efforts, advocates contend, may boost Queens tourism, inspire groundbreaking research and stir public interest in the borough's past.

11 comments:

you're putting down a plaque to tell people that something is historic? what's wrong with you?

It might not inspire groundbreaking research, but it would give people a reason to be proud of their neighborhood. I think you have bigger things to crap on than this. You'll just shit anywhere, it seems.

As a past member of the board of trustees of the Queens Historical Society I wish to state that I'm strongly opposed to and ashamed of Dr. Jack Eichenbaum's position regarding his peculiar views on landmarking.

Although I remain in full agreement with him that long term education and the raising of the public's awareness for the appreciation of history is commendable.

However, what do you do to stop the destruction of an irreplaceable structure in the meantime...like the late great Pennsylvania Station?

A more local example:

As I once stood in front of the demolished historic and architecturally significant "Flessel's" restaurant in College Point, which was well deserving of landmark status, a resident approached me.

Expressing great sadness, she was surprised that it had been torn down.

"But wasn't it Queensmarked", she asked me?

I replied, "Yes but that doesn't mean a damn thing"!

Accept only the real thing, genuine municipal landmark status.

I wonder how many "Queensmarked" buildings have been demolished since they first received their ersatz status?

Spotted a piece of Queens Crap in your community?

Please note

Italicized passages and many of the photos come from other websites. The links to these websites are provided within the posts.

Why your neighborhood is full of Queens Crap

"The difference between dishonest and honest graft: for dishonest graft one worked solely for one's own interests, while for honest graft one pursued the interests of one's party, one's state, and one's personal interests all together." - George Washington Plunkitt

Sites that kick ass:

The above organizations are recognized by Queens Crap as being beneficial to the city as a whole, by fighting to preserve the history and character of our neighborhoods. They are not connected to this website and the opinions presented here do not necessarily represent the positions of these organizations.

The comments left by posters to this site do not necessarily represent the views of the blogger or webmaster.